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Soils explored by the Rover

Spinning the Rover's rear wheels was one way for scientists to test the soil of Mars. As the wheels dug into the surface, the Rover discovered that much of the ground is made of dust, possibly deposited during many of the Martian Global Dust Storms.

Everywhere the Rover passed, it disturbed the soil, and the soil underneath turned out to be a darker red-brown soil than it's surroundings. An example of disturbed soil occured when the Rover crossed the Mermaid Dune, shown here.

Soils found by the Pathfinder's Rover seem to be different from those soils found at the Viking landing sites. Soil found around the rock the Lamb may even show that Mars had to have more water in the past!

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